1998 N.C.A.A. TOURNAMENT; Kentucky Turns Comeback Into Its 2d Title in 3 Years (original) (raw)
Sports|1998 N.C.A.A. TOURNAMENT; Kentucky Turns Comeback Into Its 2d Title in 3 Years
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1998 N.C.A.A. TOURNAMENT
- March 31, 1998
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March 31, 1998
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Section C, Page
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The giddy Kentucky Wildcats stood on a makeshift podium, which was appropriately draped in blue, as in Kentucky blue. The players wore new white T-shirts and new white hats that naturally designated them as the new national champions after they rallied to squash Utah, 78-69, tonight at the Alamodome.
It was a classic college basketball scene. There was Jeff Sheppard, who chose not to play last season because he did not want to be a reserve, waving to the loyal fans. There was Scott Padgett, who once flunked out of Kentucky, hugging everyone he could get close to. There was Heshimu Evans, who transferred to Kentucky from Manhattan while cynics scoffed at his nerve, jumping higher than if he had a pogo stick. Finally, there was Tubby Smith, the head coach who became a hero by winning a championship in his first year, grabbing a microphone and turning from gracious to gregarious.
''These players worked all year to prove themselves,'' Smith said. ''They deserve to be called the national champs.''
They are. Redemption was very sweet and very quick for Kentucky, which avenged losing to Arizona in college basketball's marquee event a year ago and won the school's second title in three seasons. It was the Wildcats' seventh over all, second only to U.C.L.A.'s 11.
Kentucky found basketball nirvana by coming back in the second half from a 10-point deficit, the largest hole that a team has ever climbed out of to win a title game. Kentucky did it with defense, depth and deadly shooting.
''We all played poised,'' Evans said. ''We know not to give up. We stayed positive. We came back. We're a fighting team, the comeback Cats.''
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